Friday 28^th May 2009

Start Point : Elgol (NG 516 136)

Distance : 7.1 miles Height Ascended : 540 metres

Route Map

The Cuillin are probably the most spectacular mountain range in Britian, a magnificent arc of splintered rock peaks with an

amazing array of pinnacles , cliffs, corries and arêtes. At the heart of the Cuillin lies Loch Coruisk, a wild sheet of water in

a deep corrie right below the Cuillin summits. The classic, and most interesting and scenic, way to reach Loch Coruisk is by

sea, which can be done from Elgol on the Bella Jane, a wonderful 45-minute boat ride. The boat journey crosses Loch Scavaig

to a landing-stage consisting of iron steps in a rock slab in inner Loch na Cuilce, passing en route an island on which seals bask and

with good views south to the rocky peaks of the island of Rum.

The prominent peak of Sgurr Na Stri from Elgol – the Cuillin partially obscured by the early morning cloud

The Bella Jane (the blue-hulled boat) alongside the jetty at Elgol

Looking into Canas Fhionnairigh (Camasunary Bay) from the Bella Jane - Bla Bheinn cloaked in cloud

(the shoreline from left to right was covered in this walk)

Sgurr na Stri and Bla Bheinn - great views and the walk hadn't even started

Approaching the head of Loch Stravaig and the drop off point

Seals basking in inner Loch na Cuilce

The recent rain made crossing the Scavaig River across the stepping stones a little tricky

The first view of Loch Coruisk – living up to all expectations

The classic view across Loch Coruisk into The Cuillin

Loch Coruisk

Scavaig River - one of the world's shortest rivers (400 metres from Loch Coruisk to the sea)

The temptation to keep looking back was irresistible as the cloud slowly dissipated

Sgurr Alasdair appears through the cloud to the left

The walk really started here, despite the temptation to linger and take photographs

The walk is rough and rocky in places but not difficult

At low water I suspect it is possible to cross this section without scrambling over the foreshore………………………

……………….however it is not possible to avoid the Bad Step a slab of rock

whichs runs down into the sea, blocking the way. Negotiating the Bad Step

involves an easy scramble, starting with a narrow ledge that leads up to a

tiny platform from which you balance along the edge of a wide crack in the slab,

hands on rock, back down to sea level amongst some big boulders.

A lone walker on the Bad Step (picture courtesy of the Scottish Sea Kayaking Club)

A look back having safely negotiated the Bad Step

Everywhere the path is low level but nearly always close to the cliff edge

Looking ahead - Elgol is close to the end of the narrow peninsula

Gars Bheinn

Sgurr na Stri

The cloud continued to slowly dissipate as the walk progressed.

At Rubha Ban the path turns northeast along the west side of Camasunary Bay - the Cuillin

are now hidden but a superb view opens up of Bla Bheinn in the northeast.

The river is crossable at several places but easier further upstream where it is relatively shallow.

Once across the river the walk is on gentle terrain for a while – a beautiful sward of green turf above a sloping stony beach.

Camasunary Bay

At the east end of the bay is a locked estate house.

Soaring above this lovely relaxing spot is the long, rocky ridge of Bla Bheinn.

Looking back across the Bay - a delightfully remote spot.

A glimpse of Marsco beyond the bay but Bla Bheinn still dominates this scene

A glimpse of two of the The Small Isles - Eigg beyond the promontory in the foreground and Rum to the right

The Black Cuillin

The Coullins from near Elgol

Approaching Elgol and the end of a fantastic walk

The Cuillin from the shore at Elgol (picture by Sue)